From the Dentist’s Chair

How to Choose Mouth Rinses

About half of all Americans experience bad breath. In our society, having bad breath is socially unacceptable. We are inundated with ads for mouth rinses, but how can you tell which ones are the best? Cochrane Researchers offer helpful advice on reading mouth rinse ingredient labels:

• Mouth rinses containing chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium do a good job of killing bacteria that cause bad breath. However, chlorhexidine can temporarily cause teeth and tongue staining, as well as temporarily alter taste.
• Mouth rinses containing chlorine dioxice and zinc work well to neutralize odors.

Talk to your dentist if you experience severe or chronic bad breath that is not helped by mouth rinses. Bad breath can be the sign of tooth decay or gum disease, which require professional treatment.

This information is intended for educational and informational
purposes only. It should not be used in place of an individual consultation or examination
or replace the advice of your health care professional and should not be relied upon to determine
diagnosis or course of treatment.